USA ( Europe Brief News): Senator Alex Padilla was forced to the ground and handcuffed during Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference on LA protests.
Padilla wished to pose questions to Noem, who was providing an update on the demonstrations occurring in the city. The senator has stated that he is no longer detained. Democrats have responded with outrage to the event.
The event took place at a press conference held by Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security in the United States.
Noem visited Los Angeles to respond to persistent demonstrations against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, encompassing the activities of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the area.
Out of nowhere, the Democratic senator from California shows up on screen.
“I am Senator Alex Padilla and I have questions for the minister,”
he says.
Nonetheless, law enforcement officials from the FBI and others intervene, blocking Padilla and forcing him out of the room. Images shared online also depict the agents throwing Padilla to the ground outside the room and cuffing him.
The U.S. senator’s office said he has since been released by law enforcement.
“Senator Padilla is not currently in custody and we are attempting to obtain additional information.”
There has been significant backlash from the Democratic side regarding the incident. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has brought up the issue in Washington.
“I just saw something that made me sick, the assault of an American senator,”
Schumer said.
“We need answers immediately as to what the hell happened.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a message on X that Padilla was “one of the most decent people” he knows.
“This is outrageous, dictatorial and shameful. Trump and his troops have lost control. This has to stop now,”
he added.
Minister Noem has also responded to the incident.
“I wish he would have reached out to us, identified himself, let us know who he was and wanted to talk,”
Noem said.
“The way he acted, in my opinion, was not appropriate.”
Local law enforcement authorities have indicated that no charges will be brought against the senator.
What prompted the security agents to forcibly remove Padilla during the press conference?
Senator Alex Padilla was violently taken out during Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press briefing because Secret Service agents thought he was an assailant.
The Department of Homeland Security indicated that agents viewed Padilla as a threat due to his noncompliance with multiple orders to step back and the absence of his Senate security pin being visible.
Padilla stood up, introduced himself, and attempted to ask a question, but the agents viewed his approach as non-compliant and possibly aggressive, resulting in them pushing him out, forcing him to the ground, and temporarily handcuffing him.
After the incident, Noem stated that she and Padilla had a “highly effective” discussion and shared contact details to enhance communication. The incident ignited anger among legislators, with numerous individuals denouncing the force applied against a current U.S. senator who had introduced himself.
